Raise Your Hand for Monash Youth

Group of young people raising their hands

“I feel anxious all the time and I don’t know why.”

“I can’t escape my negative thoughts.”

“I feel uncertain for my future”.

These are some of the heartbreaking words of Monash's young people on a video they wrote and co-produced with Monash Council, pleading for a headspace facility to be set up in Monash.

The #RaiseYourHand4MonashYouth  #Headspace4Monash campaign featured Monash youth speaking out about the future young people could have if they received the mental health support they needed, and how the issues young people face impacts on them every day.

Watch the video below:

 

Monash Council stood with our young people, who pleaded for support and help.

And the long and hard-fought campaign was successful, with the Syndal centre opening in Mount Waverley in April 2021. For more information, see headspace Syndal opens its doors.

The Facts

Monash is home to 40,000 people aged between ages 10 and 24 - about 22% of the population (Census 2018).

There are 44 primary schools and 24 secondary schools in Monash. It is also home to one of Australia's largest universities, Monash University, and Holmesglen TAFE. Deakin University is nearby in Burwood.

Many people at these universities and TAFE are international students without the nearby support of their families, or students from regional areas, away from home for the first time.

Young people say the top three personal issues they face are education, feeling stress and mental health.

In 2017, the Youth Resilience Survey was conducted in schools across Monash by Resilient Youth Australia with more than 9,300 young people taking part.

The survey revealed:

  • 44% do not feel optimistic about their future
  • 41% are losing sleep through worry
  • 45% are constantly under strain
  • 46% do not feel in control of their lives
  • 72% text between 10pm and 6am

Young people are dealing with many challenges affecting their resilience and mental health.

Before the Syndal headspace centre opened, the nearest facilities were in Knox, Dandenong, Bentleigh and Hawthorn, and it could take a young person on average 63 minutes on public transport to access one of them.

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